CORONARY ANEURYSMS IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOSOMAL-DOMINANT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY-DISEASE

Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) hav e an increased risk of intracranial aneurysms. Reports on arterial ane urysms in other locations have not been conclusive. The present study was initiated to investigate the prevalence of coronary aneurysms. Thi rty ADPKD patients who had undergone coronary angiography on clinical indication were identified, 15 after renal transplantation. For each A DPKD patient, a control patient was identified with end-stage renal di sease, investigated by coronary angiography, and matched for age, sex, and time relation to transplantation. All angiograms were retrieved a nd reevaluated with respect to aneurysms, defined as an increase in ar tery diameter by 50% or more, as well as to pathologic ectasias not fu lfilling this criterion. Aneurysms were detected in four ADPKD patient s and two control subjects. Five more ADPKD patients, but none of the control subjects, had minor ectasias. One ADPKD patient had a dissecti ng aortic aneurysm, and another died of aortic dissection during bypas s surgery. This study adds to the evidence of an increased risk of ext racranial aneurysms in ADPKD patients.